Odaily Planet Daily News: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Russian cybersecurity company Operation Zero and its leader Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk, accusing the company of funding cyber theft activities targeting U.S. trade secrets through cryptocurrency. The sanctions also include five other individuals accused of using cyber attack tools to threaten U.S. national security.
This action stems from a U.S. Department of Justice investigation last year. Australian citizen Peter Williams admitted to stealing proprietary software from his employer, a U.S. defense contractor, and delivering confidential information to Operation Zero in exchange for millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Williams has pleaded guilty to two counts of trade secret theft.
The U.S. Treasury stated that Operation Zero primarily engages in trading exploit tools that leverage software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or control devices. The company also pays rewards through a bounty system to those who carry out attacks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that if anyone steals U.S. trade secrets, the U.S. government will hold them accountable and will continue to protect sensitive technology and national security.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
U.S. Department of Justice Reopens Case Against Tornado Cash Co-Founder Roman Storm, Reigniting Two Cryptocurrency Crime Charges
The U.S. Department of Justice has requested a retrial for Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm on charges of money laundering and violating sanctions. The initial trial ended in a hung jury, and the case remains unresolved. This case will have a profound impact on crypto privacy tools and blockchain regulation.
GateNews14m ago
The U.S. Department of Justice will re-examine Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm this fall.
According to Amanda Tuminelli, Chief Legal Officer of the DeFi Education Fund, the U.S. Department of Justice will re-examine Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm in the fall. In the first trial, the jury did not reach a consensus on money laundering and sanctions charges, only ruling that he operated an unlicensed remittance business. Despite errors by the prosecution in the first trial, they still decided to re-try some of the charges.
GateNews38m ago
U.S. CFTC Chair Outlines Future Priorities: Clarifying Crypto Regulations, Ending Regulatory Disputes with SEC, and More
CFTC Chairman Mike Selig stated at the conference that the United States is experiencing a technological revolution driven by AI and blockchain, emphasizing the need to adjust the regulatory framework to adapt to changes. Key areas include derivatives market regulation, addressing legacy issues in legislation, clarifying the classification of crypto contracts, and prioritizing agricultural and energy needs.
GateNews40m ago
Supreme People's Procuratorate Work Report: 3,259 People Prosecuted for Money Laundering Crimes Using Virtual Currency Starting in 2025
Gate News Announcement, March 10th, Prosecutor General Yin Yong of the Supreme People's Procuratorate delivered the work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate to the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress. The report states that by 2025, efforts to combat money laundering will be intensified, with 3,259 people prosecuted for crimes involving virtual currencies, underground banks, and other methods of money laundering. Additionally, law enforcement will crack down on telecom and online fraud crimes, with 69,000 people prosecuted.
GateNews46m ago
U.S. banking industry plans to sue OCC over blocking crypto licenses, BPI says regulatory rules are being distorted
The US banking industry is considering filing a lawsuit against the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) because the OCC has granted national trust bank charters to cryptocurrency and fintech companies. BPI believes this move is illegal and has led to regulatory unfairness. Opposing voices include the Banking Association and state regulators, who argue that this measure could bypass traditional regulation. The OCC has approved licenses for multiple crypto companies, but this has sparked controversy, especially with applications from companies related to the Trump family drawing congressional scrutiny. If the lawsuit succeeds, it could impact the compliance status of crypto companies and the regulatory framework.
MarketWhisper1h ago
Moldova investigates cases of cryptocurrency interference in parliamentary elections involving a total of $107 million
Moldova's National Anti-Corruption Center has disclosed a plan to influence the 2025 parliamentary elections using cryptocurrency, involving a total amount of $107 million. The funds are transferred through non-custodial crypto wallets to intermediaries, who then exchange them for cash to bribe voters and promote candidates. The source of the funds is mainly from crypto platforms in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
GateNews2h ago
